Reverend Stephen Stahley is a married Catholic priest who currently resides in Ranson, West Virginia (near Harpers Ferry). He officiates weddings for couples who are seeking a ceremony that embodies the sacred and transcendent dimension of our common human experience. While Rev. Stahley is comfortable using the Catholic format for the wedding ceremony, his highest priority is working with each couple to structure a service that reflects their aspirations and goals for the wedding ceremony. Rev. Stahley prides himself on respecting and honoring all couples, including those in the LGBT community. He is happy to devote the time and energy that is needed by each couple to plan a wedding ceremony that is joyful and sacred, and as beautiful and stress-free as possible. Rev. Stahley has performed weddings at both indoor and outdoor venues across the nation.
Experience
Rev. Stephen Stahley was ordained a Catholic priest in 1978 as a member of a religious order, the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity. He served parishes in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. In 1988, Rev. Stahley resigned from the active priesthood and married his wife, Lisa. They have two children who are now in their mid-twenties. After a long career with the Montgomery County (Maryland) Government, Rev. Stahley retired from public service and now devotes himself to a wide range of ministerial duties. In 2003, at the request of his large, extended, Irish Catholic family in Philadelphia, Rev. Stahley affiliated with an organization of married priests--CITI Ministries, Inc. (Celibacy Is The Issue)--in order to officiate family weddings. His affiliation with CITI Ministries quickly led to other wedding requests and over the past 16 years, Rev. Stahley has officiated at over 200 weddings in Maryland and nine other states and Washington, DC. Rev. Stahley is also involved in other ministries including hospice work, visiting the sick, conducting funerals, counseling, and celebrating Mass for an LGBT community in Washington, DC.
Services Offered
While Reverend Stahley specializes in Catholic-themed weddings, he has officiated at a wide range of religious, non-religious and interfaith wedding ceremonies. Additionally, he has performed civil unions and vow renewals. While many couples prefer to go with established vow and ring formats, Rev. Stahley is happy to work with couples who want to write their own vows and/or add their own special elements to the wedding ceremony. His ceremony package includes a rehearsal to ensure your wedding service is beautiful and perfect. If you are affiliated with a specific religion, Reverend Stahley will be glad to work with you in developing a ceremony that reflects the beauty and significance of your tradition. Since 2003, Rev. Stahley has performed weddings which have included members of the following traditions:
Recommended by 100% of couples
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Kara Grace Hibler · Married on 03/24/2019
Such an amazing wedding day!
Father Stahley was so amazing to work with! About 2 1/2 weeks before the wedding we found out we did not get approval for our priest to marry us and we needed to find an officiant fast. We wanted someone who would still be able to perform a modern religious ceremony for us and Father Stahley was perfect. He rearranged his Sunday church service to marry us. We met with him about a week before the wedding to go over everything. He was so easy to talk to and we felt great about our decision and the way everything had fallen into place. He arrived at the venue early on wedding day. He spoke with our older flower girl on where and when to come up for the blessing of the rings. The ceremony was so beautiful and we will remember March 24 for the rest of our lives.
Sent on 04/25/2019
We cannot thank Father Stahley enough for everything he did for us!
Our wedding video with Father Stahley featured during the ceremony
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1096987790484224
Rev. Stephen Stahley's reply:
Kara,Terry · Getting married on 08/09/2020
Stephen married us in 1997. David and I had both been married before, so we had a special wedding in our home with about 50 family and a few friends. Stephen made the ceremony so special for us. He created such an aura of ceremony right in the living room that every moment was meaningful for us a s a couple.
Sent on 10/08/2018
Rick Battersby · Married on 07/06/2019
Couldn't have asked for more - we were blessed to have found him.
Father Stahley was a true blessing to us. He is an example of what all priests should be. From the first moment we met him we knew he was the officiant we wanted and prayed for. 2 hrs later we were still talking to him without a moment of awkwardness. His calm presence and demeanor made the day all about us and made us feel completely at ease. We would have given him 10's if we could go that high. Don't worry about the choice - he was perfect for us and I suspect anyone else too.
Sent on 08/19/2019
Jeannie and Rick
Rev. Stephen Stahley's reply:
Jeannie & Rick,
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